ACMP Holiday Extravaganza

I. Allegro con spirito

Approximate Duration: 0:06

Program Notes: Mozart’s Sonata in D Major, K. 448, is a vibrant and elegant work that highlights the composer’s mastery of dialogue between two pianos. The first movement, Allegro con spirito, opens with a bold and energetic theme, immediately setting a joyful and spirited tone. The two pianos alternate and share the main melody, sometimes echoing each other and at other times playing in unison for a striking effect. Unlike traditional sonata form, the development introduces a new theme before returning to the opening material. The movement sparkles with clarity, rhythmic drive, and Mozart’s signature sense of balance and brilliance.

I. Allegretto
II. Un poco vivace

Approximate Duration: 0:11

Program Notes: Gustav Holst’s Terzetto, composed in 1925 and first performed in 1926, is a unique and refined work for flute, oboe, and viola. Written in two movements—Allegretto and Un poco vivace—the piece explores each instrument’s character while maintaining a delicate balance of harmony. Remarkably, Holst writes each part in a different key, yet skillfully minimizes dissonance, creating a cohesive and lyrical sound. As the composer’s only mature chamber work, the Terzetto reflects Holst’s ingenuity and has earned its place as a charming and distinctive addition to the repertoire.

I. Allegro
II. Tempo di Menuetto

Approximate Duration: 0:15

Program Notes: Composed in 1778 during a period of personal loss, Mozart’s Sonata in E minor is a rare and poignant work, marked by its minor key—uncommon in his violin sonatas. The first movement, Allegro, is both somber and urgent, with the piano and violin sharing equal prominence in its stark, lyrical themes. The second movement, Tempo di minuetto, offers a bittersweet contrast, featuring graceful dance rhythms tinged with melancholy. The sonata’s simplicity and emotional depth make it one of Mozart’s most moving and intimate chamber works.

II. Andante con moto

Approximate Duration: 0:08

Program Notes: The second movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 is a serene and lyrical Andante con moto tranquillo. Evoking the gentle charm of a song without words, the movement opens with a tender, singing melody in the piano, soon embraced by the violin and cello. Mendelssohn’s gift for melodic beauty shines here, as flowing lines and delicate interplay create an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility. With its graceful phrasing and understated elegance, this movement provides a moment of calm and poetic reflection amidst the trio’s broader dramatic scope.

Judy Huang, Grand Prize winner of the 2004 Carmel Music Society Competition, is known for her expressive musicality and dazzling virtuosity. Following her acclaimed debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2006, she has performed widely across the United States, Taiwan, and Europe. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Marina Del Rey-Westchester Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, Ventura Symphony, Redlands Symphony, and Riverside Symphony. Dedicated to chamber music and community outreach, Dr. Huang collaborates frequently with members of the Pacific Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She holds a BA, MM, and DMA from UCLA and has taught at UCLA, Los Angeles Valley College, and the Orange County School of the Arts. Dr. Huang currently serves as President of CAPMT District 8 Orange County, as well as state chair for the MTAC Piano Concerto Solo and MTNA Student Performance Competitions, nurturing the next generation of young musicians across California.

I. Allegro

Approximate Duration: 0:11

Program Notes: Mozart’s Viola Quintet in G minor, K. 516, is a deeply emotional and dramatic work. The first movement, Allegro, begins with a strong, restless theme that sets the tone for the piece. The two violas work together to create a rich and full sound, while the rest of the strings add to the movement’s intensity. Mozart mixes moments of tension with more lyrical, flowing sections, giving the music a sense of contrast and depth. This quintet, written near the end of Mozart’s life, reflects his evolving style and deep emotional expression in chamber music.

Erin Breene is in great demand as both a chamber and orchestral musician. She is a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra of OC. Ms. Breene has also held positions as Principal Cellist of San Diego Chamber Orchestra and Associate Principal Cellist with Opera Pacific Orchestra. Ms. Breene performs in the Aviara Piano Trio with her husband, Robert Schumitzky, and pianist, Ines Irawati. Their 2024 season includes performances on the High Desert Chamber Music series in Bend, Oregon, La Jolla’s Conrad series, Classics at the Merc, and more. Erin also performs chamber music on series throughout Southern California, including the Laguna Beach Music Festival, San Diego’s Art of Élan series, and Philharmonic Society of Orange County. In addition to her performing career, Ms. Breene is also a passionate educator and maintains a private cello teaching studio in Newport Coast. She received her BM degree with professor Paul Katz at Rice University’s Shepherd School, and her MM degree as a student of Timothy Eddy at The Juilliard School.

I. Allegro brillante
IV. Allegro, mo non troppo

Approximate Duration: 0:11

Program Notes: Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44, opens with an Allegro brillante, featuring contrasting themes that reflect Schumann’s characters Florestan and Eusebius. The energetic main theme, with wide upward leaps, is followed by a lyrical duet between cello and viola. The development section highlights virtuosic piano figuration. The Finale, in an unconventional form, begins in G minor and builds through multiple themes before culminating in a climactic fugato passage. The quintet is a cornerstone of the piano quintet repertoire, known for its innovative structure and emotional depth.

Hailed as “lively and sensational” by Montreal’s Arts and Opinion, and “flawless” by New York Concert Review, prize-winning violinist Iryna Krechkovsky enjoys an international career as soloist, chamber music collaborator, educator, and arts executive. She has appeared on Classical KUSC, KABC-TV Los Angeles, the Korean Broadcasting System, National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting Service, and as a speaker/performer at TEDxChapmanU. Born in Ukraine, Iryna Krechkovsky attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University in New York where she was awarded the distinguished 40 Under Forty Alumni Award. She is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Chamber Music | OC where she curates the nationally recognized Pre-College Program, and is a founding member of the award-winning ensemble Trio Céleste with cellist Ross Gasworth and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks.

Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la, la, la
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la

See the blazing Yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la

Follow me in merry measure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la

Fast away the old year passes
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la

Sing we joyous all together
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring a ling, hear them ring
Soon it’ll be Christmas day

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring a ling, hear them ring
Soon it’ll be Christmas day

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heav’nly hosts sing, “Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!”

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from Thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

Silent night! Holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing
“Alleluia” to our King:
“Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.”